can we save the world?

Stephen Petranek makes the unimaginable seem real.  Can we really save the world?

tragically beautiful

Cold weather might scare away the masses and drive them to set up shop in the warmer areas concentrated closer to the globe's equatorial divide.  But for those relative few who either by chance or choice come to dwell in the colder regions closer to the Poles instead, there are some advantages such as the ability to enjoy four distinct seasons every year.  Take, for example, the island nation of Ireland. 

There's hardly a better place on the planet to see such brilliant shades of Autumn colors come to life.

A wonderfully rich history full of Celtic tales and modern-day noteworthies, the Emerald Isle is truly a gem of tourist and historical exploratory delight.

Despite these allures, recent buzz has put Ireland in the limelight with its  notoriety for economic woes and stories of mass emigration in search of work elsewhere.  Perhaps it's these very factors, however, which have helped shape its tragically beautiful charm. With a tiny population of just about 4 million residents, there's plenty of untouched, undeveloped land to roam about and think about the world from a different perspective.

 

let your imagination fly

Nobody likes the beginning of a new week.

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Take a deep breath with Miwa Matreyek and relax as you let your imagination fly.  Let yourself discover things to look forward to this week.

our own discovering

Sightseeing is such a treat in wonderful places such as lovely London town, UK.  It's an incredible thrill as our own eyes feast on some of the classically immortal and iconic sights we've all seen in post cards and magazines.

        

Making plans and itineraries is a must when visiting new lands and wanting to see for yourself what others have been raving about in the tourist guides.  But we can't forget to let ourselves wander freely and make our journey our own.  

There are so many colors, textures and sensations to be experienced by you and only you as you explore new corners of the world.  It's only when we start to wander off the beaten tourist tracks that we can find the classic, immortally iconic sights of our own discovering.

youthfulness

Over the years, a few smart advertising groups have used some of our older counterparts to promote their brands.  why have these campaigns been successful?

(Boost Mobile, USA)

 Because they are different?  Because they make us laugh?

(Shreddies cereal, UK)

Or, maybe because they remind us that, even though we all age, we can still tap into the youthfulness of our hearts if we want to.

a few more smiles

What's so funny?

You know those moments, when you find yourself laughing out loud at awkward moments, out of the blue, when others least anticipate it?  Embarrassed, you compose yourself and keep quiet, locking away those funny thoughts to share with no one.  In Belfast, Northern Ireland, on a chilly Fall's day, this man on the street catches my eye and agrees to be a model for my tourist photos...Out of nowhere, he bursts in to laughter and I can't understand why.  I ask and he tells me he can't believe I am freezing my "arse" off in Belfast as I walk my camera snapping happy ass up and down the streets.  This kinda makes me chuckle too, because, well, he's right.  Only unknowing tourists take interest in what locals consider to be the mundane.

Maybe the next time I start to chuckle on my own, I might share it with others after all.  We could all use a few more smiles these days anyway.

relax

Relax, it's Friday.

Monday is a long ways away.

-Kauai-

(photos courtesy Maggie Merritt)

dream the same dreams

Heritage and nostalgia can be powerful forces in our lives.

Collecting remnants of ancestors who lived their lives long ago, Clifford Day connects with his family from an earlier time when things were better and more simple.  He gathers stories, photographs and records to recall that after the US Civil War, his great-grandfather made his way to California and lived with Native Americans prior to crossing paths with Clifford's great-grandmother and falling in love.  

During his own lifetime, however, Clifford can remember all too well his early years (here he's pictured as a baby on the lower left corner) when money and resources were scarce and every day was a struggle.  A child of the Depression, Clifford learned from the get go the value of family working together to make it through each day.

In his retirement years, Clifford now enjoys a comfortable, active life that many folks will strive for when their time comes.  Perhaps it's knowing where his family has come from and what they were capable of achieving and enduring that have propelled him to dream the same dreams of his ancestors.  Perhaps it's these forces which have given him the resolve to make those dreams of the good life a reality.

their own stories

Dita Kubin-a Czech-born visual artist now tearing up the Canadian arts and culture scene-shares her own portrayal of "recollections."

"To the unassuming eye, each image seems as though it is one frame, captured as is - this is not the case. Each final image is a rebuilt composite, a two dimensional scene reshaped into one that has the appearance of a third dimension of layers, textures, and subtle tones. Made to resemble a memory stream, the images are ... conversations between the subjects and myself - sensitive portraits with their own stories to tell."

Experience more of Dita's work at:

http://www.ditakubin.com/

follow the rainbow

 Tiny might be the Leprechaun, but more clever and more wealthy than the rest of us they are as well.  A well known character of Irish mythology, Leprechauns have fascinated the child in all of us throughout history.

Lauren Allen captures a bit of the fun that she and her friends had while exploring the quirks and curiosities of the Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, Ireland.

 

Visitors to this charming little museum can play and let their imaginations run wild as they learn about the history of the mystical little shoemakers which have brought huge fame to the Emerald Isle.  And unlike real life, the Leprechaun Museum allows visitors to follow the rainbow to its very end  and, for once in their lives, reach the dazzling, fantastical pot of gold that they've always dreamed of.

http://www.leprechaunmuseum.ie

come together

Brisbane: Capitol city of the state of Queensland and 3rd largest city in Australia.  A major economic hub for the continent, Brisbane boasts of a rapidly growing services sector and adds the curious charms of a cultural population mix consisting of major foreign-born representation from over 16 countries.

Anna Davey-an Irish born resident now living in the 2 million resident deep city of Brisbane-tells us that it is truly a big city with a small town feel.  Those who live there are lucky to call it home. The vastly diverse array of nationalities have come together to shape an urban center full of architectural design and character. This marriage of contrasting heritages and influences is what makes Brisbane so wonderfully unique as visual treats lay around every corner bend.  Anna shows us here why Brisbane has been dubbed Australia's new world city.

Get more scoop at:

http://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/

child survival is the new green

Increase life expectancy to control population growth?  

Hans Rosling opens our eyes to the perils of population growth and how we can remedy our current situation.

meanings of our own

Sometimes images are created with a specific message in mind and all those who pass by it come away with the same understanding as intended by its creator.

At other times, however, images are vague, generic or multi-dimensional in significance.  Karen Miller came across this image of a  Red Cross worker painted as random graffiti on a brick wall along the streets of Mazatlan, Mexico and felt compelled to snap a shot.  

"I cannot be exactly sure what the artist was going for, but to me it meant something very important, very real.  It made me think that there is always violence and danger around us, but also people who want to help and heal."

Most of the time, images and their messages find us in every aspect of our lives and leave no room for interpretation as they state their case loud and clear.  Yet sometimes, perhaps when we most need it like young Karen journeying through the foreign streets of Mexico, we find images and attach meanings of our own--those meanings, which we, individually, desperately need to believe to be true.

  

proudly irish

Laura Izibor

Ireland's newest source of bragging rights

http://www.lauraizibor.com/

so quiet and peaceful

Crowds eagerly gather at the ClovisFest on the Rodeo Grounds in Clovis, California.  The yearly tradition of hot air balloons gracing the skies of the central valley of California begins with onlookers such as these as they cheer Bon Voyage! to the navigation crews. 

And away they float into the great wide open.  Mike Kilcrease finds himself mesmerized by the brightly colored balloon canvases as they gently drift farther afield.  

 "They are so quiet and peaceful, just floating in the air. It reminds me of lying in a hammock."

life is beautiful

They say that bad luck and hard times are just a series of unfortunate circumstances.  They also say that those who have strong faith and conviction can choose to see happiness and light amidst times of turmoil and darkness.      In this context, some of us may be reminded of the Academy Award winning 1997 film "Life is Beautiful."

The film begins in pre-WWII Italy, where a young man, Guido, of little means falls in love with a beautiful, more well-to-do school teacher, Dora.  The couple have a son, and despite the disapproval of Dora's family, the family creates a beautiful life together.

And then WWII takes center stage and the family's world changes.  The family is taken to a concentration camp on the day of the young son's birthday.  Refusing to allow these horrible circumstances to bring unhappiness and despair to their otherwise beautiful life, Guido shields his son from the horror of the camps by making a game out of the circumstances.

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More inspiring clips and commentary on this timeless film can be found at: http://www.miramax.com/lifeisbeautiful/

while they last

Cold and rainy days are beginning to set in around the northern hemisphere here on planet earth.

We should all follow the lead of Sarah Smith (shown here frolicking through sun-kissed hills in Tuscany, Italy) and take advantage of the final few moments of warmth and sunshine while they last.

timeless works of art

Flipping through the pages of time, a handful of images have made an enormous impact while at the same time providing social narrative to the buzz of the day...

Remembering JFK

Admiring Muhammad Ali

Gossiping about John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Gawking at Cindy Crawford and k.d. Lang

Anticipating the next bold move by Lady Gaga

Some magazine covers have captivated us and left us speechless over the years.  Some photographers and editors have pushed past selling magazines and instead used some of the most iconic, memorable personalities  to create timeless works of art... 

is this antarctica?

Is this Antarctica?

Yes it is.

As a matter of fact, this man-made geothermal pool is where students at the University of Antarctica take a break to chill out...er, warm up in between classes.  Yes, that's right...the University of Antarctica.  As mind-boggling and trippy as it sounds, it's true.

The Main Campus Library

The Commons 

Scenery on Campus--Flash-Frozen Waterfall

Students undertake courses in everything from Antarctic science and cultural studies to Business and History. Accommodation in residence halls and participation in school sports programs (ranging from traditional sports like baseball, football and hockey to more unique activities like snowball fighting) keep students engaged and feeling at home while studying at the most remote place on earth.

Who wouldn't feel proud to list an MBA from the University of Antarctica on their resume?  Some academic programs can be studied from afar online, and many of the courses are free of charge in order to attract students to this exotic, unorthodox approach to university education.  I'm intrigued to learn more.  If you are too, check out the school at:  http://www.antarcticaedu.com/.

And for a local perspective, check out Scott Kessel's blog which tracks his year stay on the Great Iceblock down south:  http://www.scottafar.com/.  Scott's blog provides great photos and insight on a whole world and culture taking place at the southern tip of our planet.  Could this be the next "in" destination?

life goes on

A memorial in downtown Manhattan not far from Ground Zero displays special artwork in remembrance of 9/11.  Tiles donated by local factories serve as canvases on which NYC children have worked with local artists to express their thoughts and feelings about the tragic day none of us can ever forget.  

Carly Moffitt sends in these photos of New York City and
 the site of Ground Zero. 

"It's eerie to be at the exact spot which at one point was center stage to terrible devastation and chaos.  And yet it's a beautiful summertime day in the NYC.  In every direction you can see and hear construction, tourists, taxi's and just movement in general.  In one moment you realize that life is so fragile and hanging by a thread, and then in the next moment you see people like these cycling by without a second thought.  It's at times like these you realize that no matter the circumstance life does go on..."   

down under

Sounds from Australia. Courtesy of Aramis.

Check out http://annansiobhan.wordpress.com/ to read about 2 Irish gals who will travel and track their adventure Down Under.  Best of luck, ladies.

the other side

A group of well travelled individuals sets out to explore Morocco, and everyone feels confident with their previous experience in developing countries.  They share glamorized images of romantic Casablanca, bartering in ancient marketplaces filled with great fabrics and textiles, colors, spices and smells... 

     

        

Clinging to Hollywood-like fantasies of a country can sometimes present visitors with interesting surprises.

Shannon Ryan submits these photos and tells us that she can remember exactly what she was thinking and feeling at the moment each photo was taken during her recent trip to Morocco.  Contrary to the romanticized images she held prior to landing, Shannon tells us she arrived right in the middle of Ramadan when shops are closed early and nightlife activities are hard to come by.  There was an overwhelming heat and sense of developing nation in the air.  It is these conditions which serve to fade out the fantasies and highlight the poverty and political issues with which the country continues to struggle.

Taking a step back, however, Shannon and her crew start to see past the surface and are reminded of one of life's most valuable lessons.  

"Trekking through the sand dunes, I felt really small.  They are so massive.  They are amazing structures-- they continually clear their canvas and footsteps are wiped away with the wind and pull of gravity.  I walk up the sand dune and come back down again only to look and see it’s like I was never there."

It might just be this same principle which guides the lives of the Moroccans.

"Children still seem happy if not happier than Western kids when they are playing even though they have so little.  Morocco is not wealthy, they don’t have much, but they are happy with what they have..."

Perhaps we should all learn to traverse the dunes we encounter in our lives knowing that our travels through them are temporary.  Just like the vanishing footprints of those who cross Morocco's massive dunes, our troubles and challenges don't last forever and there's always happiness to be found on the other side.

some people just know

Some people just know from the get-go.

Angel Barajas of Woodland, California.

circa 1987/1988

junk pop

We all have collections of objects and items that to some would be a pile of junk, but to us impart meaning and significance.  For us, they represent a collection of memories and stories to share with others and ourselves.  Yet artist Jason Mecier out of San Francisco, CA, uses his collections to show his sense of imagination and appreciation for pop culture. 

Is this the birth of 'Junk Pop'?

Check out more of Jason's work at:

http://www.jasonmecier.com/

little boxes

Take a moment to admire this photo as you take in the lyrics and rhythm of this iconic song.

This still photograph of Malvina Reynolds offers an impact as timeless as the message contained in her song.  Together the picture and the lyrics ask us, the viewer, are we living our unique, authentic life?  

-for a biography on Malvina Reynolds, check out: 

http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/unitarians/reynolds.html

in their own time

The Great Sphinx of Giza near Cairo, Egypt sits in the foreground of the Great Pyramid of Giza.  This site boasts of remarkable bragging rights:  The pyramid is the only wonder of the ancient world to survive into modern times.

Originally built to serve as the eternal resting place for the ancient Pharaohs and other notable elite, it's incredible to think that this structure has remained intact for thousands of years.  Will it indeed last into eternity here on Earth as originally intended?

The photos here, courtesy of Maria Palomino, suggest that it may endure the test of time.  It appears in some instances that other things--not just the pyramid--haven't changed for thousands of years either.

A crucial question remains, however.  Why, of all the wonders of the ancient world, is this the only one to have survived into our modern age?  Is there a message to be discovered, something the ancient Pharaohs still wish to share with the world?

How great it would be to travel the tunnels of time back to when the Pharaohs were still alive and compare our stories with their stories from long ago.  Yet, they might just be planning to do this in their own time...Maybe that's why they've been sticking around for so long...